U.S. patent application number 10/868811 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-23 for electronic binoculars.
This patent application is currently assigned to PENTAX Corporation. Invention is credited to Mogamiya, Makoto.
Application Number | 20040257648 10/868811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33516282 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040257648 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mogamiya, Makoto |
December 23, 2004 |
Electronic binoculars
Abstract
Electronic binoculars comprise an imaging unit, and first and
second ocular units. The imaging unit has an imaging device that
projects an optical image of an object, and converts the optical
image to electric signals. The first ocular unit has a first
image-indicating device that indicates the object image based on
the electric signals in a first image-indicating field. The second
ocular unit has a second image-indicating device that indicates the
object image based on the electric signals in a second
image-indicating field. The first image-indicating field is smaller
than a first effective image-indicating area which is the maximum
image-indicating area of the first image-indicating device. The
second image-indicating field is smaller than a second effective
image-indicating area which is the maximum image-indicating area of
the second image-indicating device. The respective first and second
image-indicating fields can move within the respective first and
second effective image-indicating areas.
Inventors: |
Mogamiya, Makoto; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1950 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
PENTAX Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
33516282 |
Appl. No.: |
10/868811 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/407 ;
359/480 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 23/18 20130101;
G02B 23/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/407 ;
359/480 |
International
Class: |
G02B 023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 20, 2003 |
JP |
P2003-177296 |
Claims
1. Electronic binoculars, comprising: an imaging unit that has an
imaging device that projects an optical image of an object,
obtained by a photographing optical system, and converts said
optical image to electric signals; a first ocular unit that has a
first image-indicating device that indicates the object image based
on said electric signals in a first image-indicating field; and a
second ocular unit that has a second image-indicating device that
indicates the object image based on said electric signals in a
second image-indicating field; said first image-indicating field
being smaller than a first effective image-indicating area which is
the maximum image-indicating area of said first image-indicating
device; said second image-indicating field being smaller than a
second effective image-indicating area which is the maximum
image-indicating area of said second image-indicating device; said
first image-indicating field being able to move within said first
effective image-indicating area; said second image-indicating field
being able to move within said second effective image-indicating
area.
2. The binoculars according to claim 1, wherein said first and
second image-indicating fields move in accordance with a distance
between said first ocular unit and said second ocular unit.
3. The binoculars according to claim 2, wherein said imaging unit
has an imaging optical axis; said first ocular unit has a first
ocular optical axis; said second ocular unit has a second ocular
optical axis; said imaging optical axis is parallel to said
respective first and second ocular optical axes; and said
binoculars comprising: an ocular unit rotating device that rotates
said first and second ocular units about an ocular axis parallel to
said imaging optical axis; and an image-indicating field rotating
device that rotates said first image-indicating field about a first
field axis that passes approximately through the center of said
first image-indicating field, and that is parallel to said imaging
optical axis, and rotates said second image-indicating field about
a second field axis that passes approximately through the center of
said second image-indicating field, and that is parallel to said
imaging optical axis.
4. The binoculars according to claim 3, wherein said
image-indicating field rotating device has a rotation angle
detecting device that detects a first rotation angle of said first
ocular unit and a second rotation angle of said second ocular unit;
said image-indicating field rotating device rotating said first
image-indicating field in an opposite direction to the rotation of
said first ocular unit, about said first field axis, according to
said first rotation angle; and said image-indicating field rotating
device rotating said second image-indicating field in an opposite
direction to the rotation of said second ocular unit, about said
second field axis, according to said second rotation angle.
5. The binoculars according to claim 2, wherein said imaging unit
has an imaging optical axis; said first ocular unit has a first
ocular optical axis; said second ocular unit has a second ocular
optical axis; said imaging optical axis is parallel to said first
ocular optical axis and said second ocular optical axis; a distance
from said imaging optical axis to said first ocular optical axis
being the same as a distance from said imaging optical axis to said
second ocular optical axis; and said binoculars comprising: an
ocular unit rotating device that rotates said first and second
ocular units about said imaging optical axis; and an
image-indicating field rotating device that rotates said first
image-indicating field about a third field axis that passes through
the center of said first image-indicating field, and that is
parallel to said imaging optical axis, and rotates said second
image-indicating field about a fourth field axis that passes
through the center of said second image-indicating field, and that
is parallel to said imaging optical axis.
6. The binoculars according to claim 5, further comprising a
rotation angle detecting device that detects a rotation angle of
said first ocular unit; said image-indicating field rotating device
rotating said first image-indicating field in the opposite
direction to the rotation of said first ocular unit, and about said
third field axis, according to said rotation angle; said
image-indicating field rotating device rotating said second
image-indicating field in the same direction to the rotation of
said first ocular unit, and about said fourth field axis, according
to said rotation angle.
7. The binoculars according to claim 1, further comprising: an
image-indicating field leveling device that levels said first
image-indicating field horizontally, and levels said second
image-indicating field horizontally.
8. Electronic binoculars, comprising: a first imaging unit that has
a first imaging device that projects an optical image of an object
to a first imaging field, obtained by a photographing optical
system, and converts said optical image to electric signals; a
second imaging unit that has a second imaging device that projects
an optical image of an object to a second imaging field, obtained
by a photographing optical system, and converts said optical image
to electric signals; a first ocular unit that has a first
image-indicating device that indicates the object image based on
said electric signals, in a first image-indicating field; and a
second ocular unit that has a second image-indicating device that
indicates the object image based on said electric signals, in a
second image-indicating field; said first imaging field being
smaller than a first effective imaging area which is the maximum
imaging area of said first imaging device; said second imaging
field being smaller than a second effective imaging area which is
the maximum imaging area of said second imaging device; said first
imaging field being able to move within said first effective
imaging area; said second imaging field being able to move within
said second effective imaging area. said first image-indicating
field being smaller than a first effective image-indicating area
which is the maximum image-indicating area of said first
image-indicating device; said second image-indicating field being
smaller than a second effective image-indicating area which is the
maximum image-indicating area of said second image-indicating
device; said first image-indicating field being able to move within
said first effective image-indicating area; said second
image-indicating field being able to move within said second
effective image-indicating area.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to electronic binoculars, and
in particular to leveling an image-indicating field of an ocular
unit, inclined by adjusting an inter-pupillary distance between a
pair of ocular units of the electronic binoculars.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] When binoculars are used, the ocular units of the binoculars
are moved according to the following methods and the
inter-pupillary distance is adjusted: (1) rotating the left ocular
unit and the right ocular unit about an axis of the imaging optical
device; (2) sliding the left ocular unit and right ocular unit in a
direction parallel to a line connecting the ocular optical axis of
the left ocular unit and the ocular optical axis of the right
ocular unit.
[0005] When an observer adjusts an inter-pupillary distance while
holding the binoculars described in (1) only one hand is necessary,
while for the binoculars described in (2) two hands are always
necessary.
[0006] In addition, the type (1) binoculars can have a 2-axial
rotary system, so that the axis of rotation is independent for the
left ocular unit and the right ocular unit, or can have a 1-axial
rotary system, so that the axis of rotation of the left and right
ocular units is common.
[0007] However, electronic binoculars are proposed that are capable
of recording image data in a storage medium and further that have
the advantage of night vision. The electronic binoculars are
generally provided with an optical system, a photographing lens
system, an imaging device, and ocular units. The imaging device
converts an optical image produced by the optical system to
electric signals. The ocular units have image-indicating devices
that display the object image according to the electric
signals.
[0008] The imaging devices, such as CCDs, and the image-indicating
devices, such as LCDs, both have a generally rectangular shape.
Therefore, when the observer adjusts an inter-pupillary distance of
the type (1) binoculars, the image-indicating devices are inclined
by the angle of rotation of the ocular units. Therefore, the images
indicated on the image-indicating devices are inclined. It is not
comfortable for an observer, to observe an object in this
situation.
[0009] Japanese unexamined patent publication (KOKAI) No.
2001-281555 discloses electronic binoculars provided with ocular
units which can be rotated about their respective ocular optical
axes in order to level the inclined image-indicating devices, as is
known in the art. According to the disclosed binoculars, for
binoculars provided with ocular units including rectangular
image-indicating devices, leveling the inclined image-indicating
devices horizontally, or leveling the inclined images indicated on
the image-indicating devices horizontally, can be done by rotating
the ocular units to a proper angle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] However, the ocular units of the above-discussed
conventional electronic binoculars are rotated mechanically, when
leveling the inclined images indicated on the image-indicating
devices horizontally. Therefore, a mechanism which rotates the
ocular units about their respective ocular optical axes, to level
the inclined image-indicating devices horizontally, is provided in
addition to the mechanism which rotates the ocular units about an
axis or axes, which is/are parallel to the respective ocular
optical axes, to adjust an inter-pupillary distance. So, the total
mechanism of the binoculars is cumbersome and complicated.
[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
binoculars that can horizontally level the inclined images
indicated on the image-indicating device, without using a
complicated mechanism, when the ocular units are rotated to adjust
an inter-pupillary distance.
[0012] According to the present invention, electronic binoculars
comprise an imaging unit, a first ocular unit, and a second ocular
unit.
[0013] The imaging unit has an imaging device that projects an
optical image of an object, obtained by a photographing optical
system, and converts the optical image to electric signals. The
first ocular unit has a first image-indicating device that
indicates the object image, based on the electric signals, in a
first image-indicating field. The second ocular unit has a second
image-indicating device that indicates the object image, based on
the electric signals, in a second image-indicating field. The first
image-indicating field is smaller than a first effective
image-indicating area which is the maximum image-indicating area of
the first image-indicating device. The second image-indicating
field is smaller than a second effective image-indicating area
which is the maximum image-indicating area of the second
image-indicating device. The first image-indicating field is able
to move within the first effective image-indicating area. The
second image-indicating field is able to move within the second
effective image-indicating area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The objects and advantages of the present invention will be
better understood from the following description, with reference to
the accompanying drawings in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic binoculars in
a first embodiment, viewed from the imaging unit side;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic binoculars in
the first embodiment viewed from the ocular units side;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic binoculars of
the first embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a plane view from the ocular units side of the
binoculars of the first embodiment, showing the inclined condition
of the image-indicating devices, and also the image-indicating
fields, when the ocular units are at their maximum inter-pupillary
distance;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a plane view from the ocular units side of the
binoculars of the first embodiment, showing the inclined condition
of the image-indicating devices, and also the image-indicating
fields, when the ocular units are at a distance other than the
maximum inter-pupillary distance;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a plane view similar to FIG. 5, but where the
image-indicating fields are leveled horizontally, after the
adjustment of an inter-pupillary distance;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a substitution table showing the amount by which
each image-indicating field is rotated, every time the operation
button is pushed, in the first embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the process by which
image-indicating fields are rotated, after the adjustment of an
inter-pupillary distance, in the first embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the electronic binoculars of a
second embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a plane view of the ocular units, the
image-indicating devices, and an angle of rotation sensor during
the adjustment of the inter-pupillary distance, viewed from the
ocular units side, in the second embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a plane view of the ocular units, the left
image-indicating device, the left image-indicating field, and the
angle of rotation sensor, before the adjustment of an
inter-pupillary distance, viewed from the ocular units side, in the
second embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a plane view of the ocular units, the left
image-indicating device, the left image-indicating field, and the
angle of rotation sensor, after the adjustment of an
inter-pupillary distance, viewed from the ocular units side, in the
second embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a substitution table showing the output data for
the point of contact of a brush and a code board, and the rotating
angle, in the second embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the process by which
image-indicating fields are rotated automatically, after the
adjustment of an inter-pupillary distance, in the second
embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the electronic binoculars
of a third embodiment viewed from the imaging units side;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the electronic binoculars
of the third embodiment viewed from the ocular units side;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an electronic binoculars of
the third embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 18 is a plane view from the imaging units side of the
binoculars of the third embodiment, showing an inclined condition
of the imaging devices, and also the imaging fields, before the
adjustment of an inter-pupillary distance;
[0033] FIG. 19 is a plane view from the imaging units side of the
binoculars of the third embodiment, showing an inclined condition
of the imaging devices, and also the imaging fields, after the
adjustment of an inter-pupillary distance; and
[0034] FIG. 20 is a plane view similar to that of FIG. 19, but
where the inclined imaging fields are leveled horizontally, after
the adjustment of an inter-pupillary distance.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] The present invention is described below with reference to
the embodiments shown in the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3,
electronic binoculars relating to a first embodiment are provided
with an imaging unit 10, right and left ocular units 30R and 30L,
an image-signal processing unit 50, and a controller 60. Both the
right and left ocular units 30R and 30L have similar constructions.
The right and left ocular units 30R and 30L are connected to the
imaging unit 10, the image-signal processing unit 50, and the
controller 60 via a connecting mechanism so that a distance between
the ocular optical axes X.sub.3R and X.sub.3L of the respective
ocular optical systems is adjusted.
[0036] The imaging unit 10 is provided with a photographing lens
system 11, a filter system 12 including an infrared cut-off filter,
an optical low-pass filter, and the like, and an imaging device 13,
such as a CCD. The imaging device 13 converts an optical image that
is magnified through the photographing lens system 11 and the
filter system 12, and which is projected onto the imaging device
13, to electric signals. The imaging unit 10 may include a focusing
mechanism, which is not depicted in the figures.
[0037] The right ocular unit 30R includes a right image-indicating
device 33R, such as an LCD, and a right ocular lens system 31R. The
right image-indicating device 33R displays an image corresponding
to image signals fed from the image-signal processing unit 50 on a
right image-indicating field 34R. Namely, an observer observes the
image displayed on the right image-indicating field 34R through the
right ocular lens system 31R. Similarly, the left ocular unit 30L
includes a left image-indicating device 33L and an a left ocular
lens system 31L. The left image-indicating device 33L displays an
image on a left image-indicating field 34L.
[0038] The right and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L have
rectangular shapes. The right and left image-indicating devices 33R
and 33L have rectangular shapes. The right image-indicating field
34R is smaller than an effective image-indicating area which is a
right maximum image-indicating area of the right image-indicating
device 33R, and is included within the right maximum
image-indicating area. The left image-indicating field 34L is
smaller than an effective image-indicating area which is a left
maximum image-indicating area of the left image-indicating device
33L, and is included within the left maximum image-indicating
area.
[0039] The imaging unit 10 has an imaging optical axis X.sub.1. The
right and left ocular units have right and left ocular optical axes
X.sub.3R and X.sub.3L. The imaging optical axis X.sub.1 is located
between the right and left ocular optical axes X.sub.3R and
X.sub.3L, so that the imaging optical axis X.sub.1 is parallel to
the right and left ocular optical axes X.sub.3R and X.sub.3L. A
distance from the imaging optical axis X.sub.1 to the right ocular
optical axis X.sub.3R is the same as a distance from the imaging
optical axis X.sub.1 to the left ocular optical axis X.sub.3L.
[0040] The right and left ocular units 30R and 30L are able to
rotate about the imaging optical axis X.sub.1 via a connecting
mechanism. The right and left ocular units 30R and 30L have sector
gears, which are not depicted in the figures, so that the
connecting mechanism connects with these sector gears. When one of
the ocular units is rotated, another ocular unit interlocks, so
that it is rotated at the same angle in the opposite direction
about the imaging optical axis X.sub.1, by the connecting
mechanism.
[0041] The right image-indicating field 34R is able to rotate about
an axis (a first or third field axis) that passes through a center
Q.sub.R of the right image-indicating field 34R within the right
effective image-indicating area of the right image-indicating
device 33R, and which is parallel to the imaging optical axis
X.sub.1. The left image-indicating field 34L is able to rotate
about an axis (a second or fourth field axis) that passes through a
center Q.sub.L of the left image-indicating field 34L within the
left effective image-indicating area of the left image-indicating
device 33L, and which is parallel to the imaging optical axis
X.sub.1. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, in the first embodiment, a
center of the right image-indicating device 33R and the center
Q.sub.R of the right image-indicating field 34R coincide with each
other, to maximize the rotating range of the right image-indicating
field 34R within the effective image-indicating area of the right
image-indicating device 33R, so that the centers pass through the
right ocular optical axis X.sub.3R or X.sub.3R'. The relationship
between the left image-indicating device 33L, the image-indicating
field 34L, and also the left ocular optical axis X.sub.3L or
X.sub.3L' is similar.
[0042] The image-signal processing unit 50 includes an imaging
device driver 51, a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 52, a
timing generator (TG) 53, a digital signal processor (DSP) 54, an
auto-gain controller (AGC) 55, and an analog-digital converter
(ADC) 56. Namely, the electric signals for an optical image of an
object, which are generated in the imaging unit 10, are converted
by the image-signal processing unit 50 to image signals which can
be displayed, by the right and left ocular units 30R and 30L, and
are supplied to them by the image-signal processing unit 50.
Further, the image-signal processing unit 50 may include a function
that converts the electric signals to different types of image
signals (for example, compressed image signals) for recording the
image signals in an external storing medium, which is not depicted
in the figures.
[0043] The controller 60 has an image-indicating field rotating
operation unit 61 which rotates the right and left image-indicating
fields 34R and 34L within the effective image-indicating areas of
the respective right and left image-indicating devices 33R and
33L.
[0044] The image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61 has
operation buttons 61a and 61b, and a sliding operation member 61c.
When the operation button 61a is pushed, the image-indicating field
rotating operation unit 61 rotates the right and left
image-indicating fields 34R and 34L in the opposite directions by
the same angle. When the operation button 61b is pushed, the
image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61 rotates the right
and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L in the opposite
directions to which they were rotated when the operation button 61a
was pushed, and by the same angle by which they were rotated when
the operation button 61a was pushed. When the sliding operation
member 61c is operated, a value of an angle by which the
image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61 rotates the right
and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L, when either the
operation button 61a or 61b is pushed once, is adjusted.
[0045] Next, after the photographic subject image is captured by
the imaging unit 10, the operation of each component, in the right
and left ocular units 30R and 30L, will be explained.
[0046] Optical object images obtained through the photographing
lens system 11 and the filter system 12 are projected on the light
receiving area of the imaging device 13, and are then subjected to
photoelectrical conversion, so that the electric signals
corresponding to electric charge accumulated during a predetermined
period in the imaging device 13, are generated. The value of the
electric charge accumulation period is controlled by the imaging
device driver 51.
[0047] The noise components of the electric signals which are
produced by the photoelectrical conversion are reduced by the
correlated double sampling circuit 52. Further, the gain of the
electric signals is controlled by the auto-gain controller 55. The
electric signals are then converted to digital signals by the
analog-digital converter 56. These operations are carried out in
accordance with clock pulse signals fed from the timing generator
53 to the imaging device driver 51 and the correlated double
sampling circuit 52.
[0048] The converted digital signals (or digital image signals) are
subjected to image processes, such as a gamma correction process
and so on, in the digital signal processor 54.
[0049] The image signals which were subjected to the image
processes, in other words, the image signals which were processed
in the image-signal processing unit 50, are supplied to the right
and left image-indicating devices 33R and 33L provided in the
respective right and left ocular units 30R and 30L by the
image-signal processing unit 50.
[0050] The right and left image-indicating devices 33R and 33L
display an image corresponding to the image signals in the
respective right and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L, so
that the observer can observe the image using their right and left
eyes, via the respective right and left ocular lens systems 31R and
31L.
[0051] Next, the inter-pupillary distance adjusting process of the
electronic binoculars, which means adjusting the distance from the
right ocular optical axis X.sub.3R to the left ocular optical axis
X.sub.3L, will be explained.
[0052] FIG. 4 is a plane view from the ocular units side showing
the rotation of the right and left ocular units 30R and 30L, the
right and left image-indicating devices 33R and 33L, and the right
and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L, where the right and
left ocular units 30R and 30L are rotated about the imaging optical
axis X.sub.1 for the adjustment of an inter-pupillary distance.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows the condition where the inter-pupillary
distance is maximum, in other words, the condition where the right
and left ocular optical axes X.sub.3R and X.sub.3L, and the imaging
optical axis X.sub.1 are lined up on the same plane. This condition
is the initial state, and the value of the inter-pupillary distance
in this position is L.sub.0. Furthermore, the right
image-indicating field 34R is rectangular and has parallel sides to
the right effective image-indicating area of the right
image-indicating device 33R. The right image-indicating field 34R
is enclosed between the boundaries given by the 4 points A.sub.R0,
B.sub.R0, C.sub.R0, and D.sub.R0. Similarly, the left
image-indicating field 34L is defined as the field which is
enclosed between the boundaries given by the 4 points A.sub.L0,
B.sub.L0, C.sub.L0, and D.sub.L0. The coordinates of each point are
computed when the image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61
rotates each point that is shown in the respective right and left
image-indicating fields 34R and 34L in this initial state, about
their respective centers Q.sub.R and Q.sub.L, according to a
prescribed computation process, and then the image-indicating field
rotating operation unit 61 provides the image-indicating fields
after the rotation.
[0054] FIG. 5 shows the condition in which the right and left
ocular units 30R and 30L are rotated in their respective opposite
directions, to make the inter-pupillary distance narrower than the
maximum inter-pupillary distance. The value of the inter-pupilary
distance in this position is indicated as L.sub.1.
[0055] FIG. 6 shows the condition in which the inclined right and
left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L are rotated about their
axes which pass through their respective centers Q.sub.R and
Q.sub.L, and which are parallel to the imaging optical axis
X.sub.1. Namely, the right image-indicating field 34R is defined as
the field which is enclosed between the boundaries given by the 4
points A.sub.R1, B.sub.R1, C.sub.R1, and D.sub.R1. Similarly, the
left image-indicating field 34L is defined as the field which is
enclosed between the boundaries given by the 4 points A.sub.L1,
B.sub.L1, C.sub.L1, and D.sub.L1. The inclinations of the right and
left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L are horizontally leveled,
while the inclinations of the right and left image-indicating
devices 33R and 33L are fixed.
[0056] FIG. 7 is a table showing the number of degrees by which the
right and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L are rotated
after pushing the operation button 61a or 61b once. The table is
stored in the controller 60. Several patterns are available for
determining how many degrees the image-indicating fields should be
rotated after pushing the operation button once. In this
embodiment, the size of the angle of rotation when the operation
button is pushed once is determined by the location of the sliding
operation member 61c. For example, when pattern (1) in the table is
selected, the right image-indicating field 34R is rotated 1 degree
counterclockwise and the left image-indicating field 34L is rotated
1 degree clockwise, after pushing the operation button 61a once,
when viewed from the side of the right and left ocular units 30R
and 30L. When pattern (2) in the table is selected, the right
image-indicating field 34R is rotated 2 degrees counterclockwise
and the left image-indicating field 34L is rotated 2 degrees
clockwise, after pushing the operation button 61a once, when viewed
from the side of the right and left ocular units 30R and 30L.
[0057] Next, the adjustment of the inter-pupillary distance for the
first embodiment of the present invention will be explained. When
the respective right and left ocular units 30R and 30L are rotated
about the imaging optical axis X.sub.1, the respective right and
left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L which are displayed on the
respective right and left image-indicating devices 33R and 33L, are
also rotated. Accordingly, the right and left image-indicating
fields 34R and 34L are inclined.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, the inclination of the right
image-indicating field 34R, and the inclination of the left
image-indicating field 34L are in opposite directions respectively.
It is not comfortable for an observer, to observe under these
conditions.
[0059] In the adjustment of an inter-pupillary distance, because
the right image-indicating field 34R and the right ocular unit 30R
are rotated together, and the left image-indicating field 34L and
the left ocular unit 30L are rotated together, the rotated angle of
the right image-indicating field 34R from the initial state, and
the rotated angle .theta..sub.30R of the right ocular unit 30R from
the initial state, have the same value and the same direction.
Similarly, the rotated angle of the left image-indicating field 34L
from the initial state, and the rotated angle .theta..sub.30L of
the left ocular unit 30L from the initial state, have the same
value and the same direction. These rotated angles .theta..sub.30R
and .theta..sub.30L have the same value, but opposite directions
due to the symmetry of the figure.
[0060] Accordingly, a right rotating angle .theta..sub.34R of the
right image-indicating field 34R, which is required to horizontally
level the right image-indicating field 34R, and the right rotating
angle .theta..sub.30R of the right ocular unit 30R have the same
value but have opposite directions. Further a left rotating angle
.theta..sub.34L of the left image-indicating field 34L, which is
required to horizontally level the left image-indicating field 34L,
and the left rotating angle .theta..sub.30L of the left ocular unit
30L have the same value and opposite directions, hence the right
and left rotating angles .theta..sub.30R and .theta..sub.30L have
the same value and opposite directions
(.theta..sub.30R=-.theta..sub.30L=-.theta..sub.34R=.theta..sub-
.34L).
[0061] The operation button 61a is pushed by the observer to
horizontally level the inclined right and left image-indicating
fields 34R and 34L.
[0062] Each point A.sub.R0, B.sub.R0, C.sub.R0, and D.sub.R0 that
is shown in the right image-indicating field 34R in the initial
state, is a right initial value. Each point A.sub.L0, B.sub.L0,
C.sub.L0, and D.sub.L0 that is shown in the left image-indicating
field 34L in the initial state is a left initial value. Each point
A.sub.R0, B.sub.R0, C.sub.R0, and D.sub.R0 is rotated by a
requested angle about an axis which passes through the center
Q.sub.R of the right image-indicating field 34R, and which is
parallel to the imaging optical axis X.sub.1. Each point A.sub.R1,
B.sub.R1, C.sub.R1, and D.sub.R1 is shown in the right
image-indicating field 34R after the rotation. Each point A.sub.L0,
B.sub.L0, C.sub.L0, and D.sub.L0 is rotated by a requested angle
about an axis which passes through the center Q.sub.L of the left
image-indicating field 34L, and which is parallel to the imaging
optical axis X.sub.1. Each point A.sub.L1, B.sub.L1, C.sub.L1, and
D.sub.L1 is shown in the left image-indicating field 34L after the
rotation. The requested angle of rotation for the right
image-indicating field 34R and the requested angle of rotation for
the left image-indicating field 34L have same value, but are in
opposite directions. The image-indicating field rotating operation
unit 61 computes the coordinates of each point A.sub.R1, B.sub.R1,
C.sub.R1, D.sub.R1, A.sub.L1, B.sub.L1, C.sub.L1, and D.sub.L1, and
decides the right and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L
after the rotation.
[0063] The image-indicating field 34R and 34L are rotated by the
same angle, but in opposite directions, when the observer pushes
the operation button 61a or 61b (see FIG. 6). It is possible to
carry out the operation that horizontally levels the inclined right
and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L by using the eye of
the observer; that is, by simply looking at the right and left
image-indicating devices 33R and 33L in the respective right and
left ocular units 30R and 30L. If the operation button 61a is
pushed too many times by the observer so that the right and left
image-indicating fields 34R and 34L are rotated further than the
level condition, the operation button 61b is pushed a required
number of times by the observer, so that the image-indicating
fields 34R and 34L are rotated in the opposite direction and
leveled horizontally.
[0064] The process of this action will be explained with reference
to the flowchart in FIG. 8. First of all, in the step S.sub.11, it
is judged whether or not the power supply of the electronic
binoculars is in the ON state. When the power supply is not
switched to the ON state, the binoculars are kept in the STAND-BY
state. When the power supply is switched to the ON state, the
photographic subject image, which was captured, is indicated in the
right and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L, in step
S.sub.12. In step S.sub.13, it is judged whether or not the
operation button 61a is pushed. When the ocular units 30R and 30L
are rotated about the imaging optical axis X.sub.1 for adjusting an
inter-pupillary distance, the observer pushes the operation button
61a. In step S.sub.14, when the operation button 61a is pushed, the
right image-indicating field 34R is rotated counterclockwise when
viewed from the ocular units side, or at the same angle and in the
opposite direction to which the right ocular unit 30R is rotated.
Further, the left image-indicating field 34L is rotated clockwise
when viewed from the ocular units side, or by the same angle and in
the opposite direction to which the left ocular unit 30L is
rotated. Next, the process is returned to step S.sub.12. When the
operation button 61a is not pushed, it is judged whether or not the
operation button 61b is pushed in step S.sub.15. When the operation
button 61b is pushed, the right image-indicating field 34R is
rotated clockwise, and the left image-indicating field 34L is
rotated counterclockwise, in step S.sub.16, when viewed from the
side of the right and left ocular units 30R and 30L. The rotation
angle .theta..sub.34R of the right image-indicating field 34R, and
the rotation angle .theta..sub.34L of the left image-indicating
field 34L are the same. Next, the process is returned to the step
S.sub.12. When the operation button 61b is not pushed, the process
is returned to step S.sub.12.
[0065] Consequently, according to the first embodiment, when the
ocular units 30R and 30L are rotated about the imaging optical axis
X.sub.1, so that the image-indicating devices 33R and 33L are
inclined, the observer can observe comfortably because the
image-indicating fields 34R and 34L, on which the images are
indicated, are horizontally leveled by the observer.
[0066] Next, the second embodiment of the present invention will be
explained. As shown in FIG. 9, the difference in structure to the
first embodiment is that the controller 60 of the second embodiment
has an angle of rotation sensor 62, and an automatic
image-indicating field rotating unit 63, instead of the
image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61 as shown in FIG.
3. Further, only the constructions dissimilar to those in the first
embodiment will be explained in the following.
[0067] When the photographic subject image is captured by the
imaging unit 10, the operation of each component in the right and
left ocular units 30R and 30L, is identical to that in the first
embodiment.
[0068] This angle of rotation sensor 62 is an apparatus that
detects the rotation angle of the ocular unit, and is arranged on a
plane which is vertical to the imaging optical axis X.sub.1. The
angle of rotation sensor 62 can detect the angle .theta..sub.30L
between a plane which includes both the imaging optical axis
X.sub.1 and the left ocular optical axis X.sub.3L, before an
adjustment of an inter-pupillary distance in the initial state, and
a plane which includes both the imaging optical axis X.sub.1 and
the left ocular optical axis X.sub.3L', after an adjustment of an
inter-pupillary distance (see FIG. 10).
[0069] The embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11 to 13. The angle of
rotation sensor 62 has a brush 62a and a code board 62b, so that
when the brush 62a contacts the code board 62b by rotating the left
ocular unit 30L, binary data (digital data) is output, and then the
left rotating angle .theta..sub.30L corresponding to the output
data is computed. The relationship between the digital output data
and the left rotating angle .theta..sub.30L is stored in the
controller 60, and it is used for the computation. For example,
when the digital output data is 1, 1, 0, and 0, due to the contact
between the brush 62a and the code board 62b, the value of the left
rotating angle is 12 degrees. In this embodiment, the right
rotating angle need not be detected separately, because the
relationship between the right and left rotating angles
.theta..sub.30R and .theta..sub.30L of the respective right and
left ocular units 30R and 30L is
.theta..sub.30R=-.theta..sub.30L.
[0070] The automatic image-indicating field rotating unit 63 can
horizontally level the inclined right and left image-indicating
fields 34R and 34L by using the detected angle .theta..sub.30L, or,
the automatic image-indicating field rotating unit 63 can compute
the coordinates of each point, when each point A.sub.L0, B.sub.L0,
C.sub.L0, and D.sub.L0 that is shown in the left image-indicating
field 34L in the initial state, is rotated by the detected angle
.theta..sub.30L, and decides the left image-indicating field 34L
after the rotation. As shown in the FIGS. 5 and 6, the automatic
image-indicating field rotating unit 63 horizontally levels the
inclined right image-indicating field 34R by rotating it by the
angle .theta..sub.30L and in the same direction to the detected
angle .theta..sub.30L. Similarly, the automatic image-indicating
field rotating unit 63 horizontally levels the inclined left
image-indicating field 33R by rotating it by the same angle in the
opposite direction to the detected angle .theta..sub.30L.
[0071] The process of this action will be explained with reference
to the flowchart in FIG. 14. First of all, in the step S.sub.21, it
is judged whether or not the power supply of the electronic
binoculars is in the ON state. When the power supply is not
switched to the ON state, the binoculars are kept in the STAND-BY
state. When the power supply is switched to the ON state, the
photographic subject image, which was captured, is indicated in the
right and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L, in step
S.sub.22. In step S.sub.23, it is judged whether or not the
adjustment of the inter-pupillary distance has been carried out,
that is whether the right and left ocular units 30R and 30L have
been rotated about the imaging optical axis X.sub.1. When the right
and left ocular units 30R and 30L are rotated, the angle of
rotation sensor 62 detects the left rotating angle .theta..sub.30L,
in step S.sub.24. In step S.sub.25, the automatic image-indicating
field rotating unit 63 rotates the right and left image-indicating
fields 34R and 34L by using the detected left rotating angle
.theta..sub.30L, and then the process is returned to step S.sub.22.
When the right and left ocular units 30R and 30L are not rotated,
the process is returned to step S.sub.22.
[0072] Consequently, according to the second embodiment, when the
ocular units 30R and 30L are rotated about the imaging optical axis
X.sub.1, so that the image-indicating fields 34R and 34L are
inclined, the observer can observe comfortably because the
image-indicating fields 34R and 34L, on which the images are
indicated, are horizontally leveled automatically.
[0073] Next, the third embodiment of the present invention will be
explained. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the difference in structure
to the first embodiment is that the electronic binoculars of the
third embodiment comprise right and left imaging units 10R and 10L.
Further, only the constructions dissimilar to those in the first
embodiment will be explained in the following.
[0074] The right and left imaging units 10R and 10L have similar
constructions, they are connected to the right and left ocular
units 30R and 30L, the image-signal processing unit 50, and the
controller 60 via the connecting mechanism so that a distance
between the optical axes of the respective imaging optical systems,
and the distance between the optical axes of the respective ocular
optical systems, are adjusted. The right imaging unit 10R is
provided with a right photographing lens system 11R, a right filter
system 12R, and a right imaging device 13. The right imaging device
13R converts an optical image that is magnified through the right
photographing lens system 11R and the right filter system 12R, and
which is projected onto the right imaging field 14R, to electric
signals. Similarly, the left imaging device 13L converts an optical
image that is magnified through the left photographing lens system
11L and the left filter system 12L, and which is projected onto the
left imaging field 14L, to electric signals.
[0075] The right and left imaging fields 14R and 14L have
rectangular shapes. The right and left imaging devices 13R and 13L
have respective shapes. The right imaging field 14R is smaller than
an effective imaging area which is a right maximum imaging area of
the right imaging device 13R, and is included within the right
maximum imaging area. The left imaging field 14L is smaller than an
effective imaging area which is a left maximum imaging area of the
left imaging device 13L, and is included within the left maximum
imaging area.
[0076] The right and left imaging units 10R and 10L have right and
left imaging optical axes X.sub.1R and X.sub.1L. The right and left
imaging optical axes X.sub.1R and X.sub.1L are parallel to the
right and left ocular optical axes X.sub.3R and X.sub.3L of the
respective right and left ocular units 30R and 30L.
[0077] The electric binoculars have a rotating axis X. The rotating
axis X is located between the right and left imaging optical axes
X.sub.1R and X.sub.1L, so that the rotating axis X is parallel to
the right and left imaging optical axes X.sub.1R and X.sub.1L.
Similarly, the rotating axis X is located between the right and
left imaging optical axes X.sub.3R and X.sub.3L, so that the
rotating axis X is parallel to the right and left ocular optical
axes X.sub.3R and X.sub.3L. A distance from the rotating axis X to
the right imaging optical axis X.sub.1R is the same as a distance
from the rotating axis X to the left imaging optical axis X.sub.1L.
Similarly, a distance from the rotating axis X to the right ocular
optical axis X.sub.3R is the same as a distance from the rotating
axis X to the left ocular optical axis X.sub.3L.
[0078] The right and left ocular units 30R and 30L are able to
rotate about the rotating axis X via a connecting mechanism. The
construction of the connecting mechanism is identical to the
mechanism for the right and left ocular units 30R and 30L in the
first embodiment.
[0079] The right image-indicating field 34R is able to rotate about
an axis (a first or third field axis) that passes through a center
Q.sub.R of the right image-indicating field 34R within a right
effective image-indicating area of the right image-indicating
device 33R, and that is parallel to the rotating axis X. The left
image-indicating field 34L is able to rotate about an axis (a
second or fourth field axis) that passes through a center Q.sub.L
of the left image-indicating field 34L within a left effective
image-indicating area of the left image-indicating device 33L, and
that is parallel to the rotating axis X. In this embodiment, a
center of the right image-indicating device 33R and the center
Q.sub.R of the right image-indicating field 34R coincide with each
other, to maximize the rotating range of the right image-indicating
field 34R within the effective image-indicating area of the right
image-indicating device 33R, so that the centers pass through the
right ocular optical axis X.sub.3R or X.sub.3R'. The relationship
between the left image-indicating device 33L, the image-indicating
field 34L, and also the left ocular optical axis X.sub.3L or
X.sub.3L' is similar.
[0080] The right and left imaging units 10R and 10L are able to
rotate about the rotating axis X via a connecting mechanism. The
connecting mechanism between the right and left imaging units 10R
and 10L is similar to that between the right and left ocular units
30R and 30L.
[0081] The right imaging field 14R is able to rotate about an axis
that passes through a center P.sub.R of the right imaging field 14R
within a right effective imaging area of the right imaging device
13R, and which is parallel to the rotating axis X. The left imaging
field 14L is able to rotate about an axis that passes through a
center P.sub.L of the left imaging field 14L within a left
effective imaging area of the left imaging device 13L, and that is
parallel to the rotating axis X. As shown in FIGS. 18 to 20, in the
third embodiment, a center of the right imaging device 13R and the
center P.sub.R of the right imaging field 14R coincide with each
other, to maximize the rotating range of the right imaging field
14R within the effective imaging area of the right imaging device
13R, so that the centers pass through the right imaging optical
axis X.sub.1R or X.sub.1R'. The relationship between the left
imaging device 13L, the imaging field 14L, and also the left
imaging optical axis X.sub.1L or X.sub.1L' is similar.
[0082] The electric signals for an optical image of an object,
generated in the right imaging unit 10R are converted to image
signals which can be displayed, after processing by the
image-signal processing unit 50, and observed on the right ocular
unit 30R, and are supplied to it. The electric signals for an
optical image of an object, generated in the left imaging unit 10L
are converted to image signals which can be displayed, after
processing by the image-signal processing unit 50, and observed on
the left ocular unit 30L, and are supplied to it.
[0083] The controller 60 has an imaging-field and image-indicating
field rotating operation unit 61', which rotates the right and left
imaging fields 14R and 14L within the effective imaging areas of
the respective right and left imaging devices 13R and 13L, and
which rotates the right and left image-indicating fields 34R and
34L within the effective image-indicating areas of the respective
right and left image-indicating devices 33R and 33L.
[0084] The imaging-field and image-indicating field rotating
operation unit 61' has operation buttons 61a' and 61b', and a
sliding operation member 61c'.
[0085] When the operation button 61a' is pushed, the imaging-field
and image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61' rotates the
right and left imaging fields 14R and 14L in the opposite
directions by the same angle, and rotates the right and left
image-indicating fields 34R and 34L in the opposite directions at
the same angle. The angle rotated by the right imaging field 14R
due to the imaging-field and image-indicating field rotating
operation unit 61' is the same as the angle rotated by the right
image-indicating field 34R due to the imaging-field and
image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61'.
[0086] When the operation button 61b' is pushed, the imaging-field
and image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61' rotates the
right and left imaging fields 14R and 14L in the opposite
directions to which they were rotated when the operation button
61a' was pushed, and by the same angle by which they were rotated
when the operation button 61a' was pushed. Further, when the
operation button 61b' is pushed, the imaging-field and
image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61' rotates the
right and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L in the opposite
directions to which they were rotated when the operation button
61a' was pushed, and by the same angle by which they were rotated
when the operation button 61a' was pushed.
[0087] When the sliding operation member 61c' is operated, an angle
by which the imaging-field and image-indicating field rotating
operation unit 61' rotates the right and left imaging fields 14R
and 14L, and the right and left image-indicating fields 34R and
34L, is adjusted when either the operation button 61a' or 61b' is
pushed once.
[0088] When the photographic subject images are captured by the
right and left imaging units 10R and 10L, the operation of each
component, that is indicated in the right and left ocular units 30R
and 30L, is identical to that in the first embodiment. The
photographic subject image captured by the right imaging unit 10R
is indicated in the right ocular unit 30R, and the photographic
subject image captured by the left imaging unit 10L is indicated in
the left ocular unit 30L, because the electric binoculars relating
to the third embodiment are provided with the right and left
imaging units 10R and 10L.
[0089] When the respective right imaging unit 10R, left imaging
unit 10L, right ocular unit 30R, and left ocular unit 30L are
rotated about the rotating axis X, in the third embodiment, the
respective right imaging field 14R, left imaging field 14L, right
image-indicating field 34R, and left image-indicating field 34L
which are included to the respective right imaging device 13R, left
imaging device 13L, right image-indicating device 33R, and left
image-indicating device 33L are rotated at the same time.
Accordingly, the right and left imaging fields 14R and 14L are
inclined, and the right and left image-indicating fields 34R and
34L are inclined.
[0090] FIGS. 4 and 18 show the condition where the inter-pupillary
distance is maximum. This condition is the initial state, so that
the value of the inter-pupillary distance in this position is
L.sub.0. The right image-indicating field 34R is defined as the
field which is enclosed between the boundaries given by the 4
points A.sub.R0, B.sub.R0, C.sub.R0, and D.sub.R0. Similarly, the
left image-indicating field 34L is defined as the field which is
enclosed between the boundaries given by the 4 points A.sub.L0,
B.sub.L0, C.sub.L0, and D.sub.L0. Similarly, the right imaging
field 14L is defined as the field which is enclosed between the
boundaries given by the 4 points E.sub.R0, F.sub.R0, G.sub.R0, and
H.sub.R0. Similarly, the left imaging field 14L is defined as the
field which is enclosed between the boundaries given by the 4
points E.sub.L0, F.sub.L0, G.sub.L0, and H.sub.L0.
[0091] The coordinates of each point are computed when the
imaging-field and image-indicating field rotating operation unit
61' rotates each point that is shown in the respective right and
left imaging fields 14R and 14L in this initial state, about their
respective centers P.sub.R and P.sub.L, according to a prescribed
computation process, and then the imaging-field and
image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61' provides the
imaging fields after the rotation. Similarly, the coordinates of
each point are computed when the imaging-field and image-indicating
field rotating operation unit 61' rotates each point that is shown
in the respective right and left image-indicating fields 34R and
34L in this initial state, about their respective centers Q.sub.R
and Q.sub.L, according to a prescribed computation process, and
then the imaging-field and image-indicating field rotating
operation unit 61' provides the image-indicating fields after the
rotation.
[0092] Therefore, the operation button 61a' is pushed by the
observer, to horizontally level the inclined right imaging field
14R, left imaging field 14L, right image-indicating field 34R, and
left image-indicating field 34L. The value of the rotating angle,
determined by the number of times by which the operation button
61a' or 61b' is pushed, is obtained from the substitution table
shown in FIG. 7.
[0093] Each point E.sub.R0, F.sub.R0, G.sub.R0, and H.sub.R0 that
is shown in the right imaging field 14R in the initial state, is a
right initial value. Each point E.sub.L0, F.sub.L0, G.sub.L0, and
H.sub.L0 that is shown in the left imaging field 14L in the initial
state is a left initial value. Each point E.sub.R0, F.sub.R0,
G.sub.R0, and H.sub.R0 is rotated by a requested angle about an
axis which passes through the center P.sub.R of the right imaging
field 14R, and which is parallel to the rotating axis X. Each point
E.sub.R1, F.sub.R1, G.sub.R1, and H.sub.R1 is shown in the right
imaging field 14R after the rotation. Each point E.sub.L0,
F.sub.L0, G.sub.L0, and H.sub.L0 is rotated by a requested angle
about an axis which passes through the center P.sub.L of the left
imaging field 14L, and which is parallel to the rotating axis X.
Each point E.sub.L1, F.sub.L1, G.sub.L1, and H.sub.L1 is shown in
the left imaging field 14L after the rotation. The requested angle
of rotation for the right imaging field 14R and the requested angle
of rotation for the left imaging field 14L have the same value, but
are in opposite directions. The imaging-field and image-indicating
field rotating operation unit 61' computes the coordinates of each
point E.sub.R1, F.sub.R1, G.sub.R1, H.sub.R1, E.sub.L1, F.sub.L1,
G.sub.L, and H.sub.L1, and decides the right and left imaging
fields 14R and 14L after the rotation.
[0094] Each point A.sub.R0, B.sub.R0, C.sub.R0, and D.sub.R0 that
is shown in the right image-indicating field 34R in the initial
state, is a right initial value. Each point A.sub.L0, B.sub.L0,
C.sub.L0, and D.sub.L0 that is shown in the left image-indicating
field 34L in the initial state is a left initial value. Each point
A.sub.R0, B.sub.R0, C.sub.R0, and D.sub.R0 is rotated by a
requested angle about an axis which passes through the center
Q.sub.R of the right image-indicating field 34R, and which is
parallel to the rotating axis X. Each point A.sub.R1, B.sub.R1,
C.sub.R1, and D.sub.R1 is shown in the right image-indicating field
34R after the rotation. Each point A.sub.L0, B.sub.L0, C.sub.L0,
and D.sub.L0 is rotated by a requested angle about an axis which
passes through the center Q.sub.L of the left image-indicating
field 34L, and which is parallel to the rotating axis X. Each point
A.sub.L1, B.sub.L1, C.sub.L1, and D.sub.L1 is shown in the left
image-indicating field 34L after the rotation. The requested angle
of rotation for the right image-indicating field 34R and the
requested angle of rotation for the left image-indicating field 34L
are same value, but are in opposite directions. The imaging-field
and image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61' computes the
coordinates of each point A.sub.R1, B.sub.R1, C.sub.R1, D.sub.R1,
A.sub.L1, B.sub.L1, C.sub.L1, and D.sub.L1, and decides the right
and left image-indicating fields 34R and 34L after the
rotation.
[0095] The imaging field 14R and 14L are rotated by the same angle,
but in opposite directions, when the observer pushes the operation
button 61a' or 61b' (see FIG. 20). The image-indicating field 34R
and 34L are rotated by the same angle, but in opposite directions,
when the observer pushes the operation button 61a' or 61b' (see
FIG. 6). Therefore, the right imaging field 14R and the right
image-indicating field 34R are rotated by the same angle in the
same direction, viewed from the same side. It is possible to carry
out the operation that horizontally levels the inclined right
imaging field 14R, left imaging field 14L, right image-indicating
field 34R, and left image-indicating field 34L by using the eye of
the observer; that is, by simply looking at the right and left
image-indicating devices 33R and 33L in the respective right and
left ocular units 30R and 30L.
[0096] Consequently, according to the third embodiment, when the
right imaging unit 10R, left imaging unit 10L, right ocular unit
30R, and left ocular unit 30L are rotated about the rotating axis
X, so that the right imaging device 13R, left imaging device 13L,
right image-indicating device 33R, and left image-indicating device
33L are inclined, the observer can observe comfortably because the
imaging fields 14R and 14L, on which the optical images are
projected, and the image-indicating fields 34R and 34L, on which
the images are indicated, are horizontally leveled by observer.
[0097] The controller 60 relating to the third embodiment is
provided with the imaging-field and image-indicating field rotating
operation unit 61', so that the right imaging field 14R, left
imaging field 14L, right image-indicating field 34R, and left
image-indicating field 34L are horizontally leveled by the
imaging-field and image-indicating field rotating operation unit
61', in a similar way to that of the controller 60 in the first
embodiment. However, instead of the imaging-field and
image-indicating field rotating operation unit 61', the controller
60 may be provided with an angle of rotation sensor 62' for the
imaging units and the ocular units, and an automatic imaging-field
and image-indicating field rotating unit 63', so that the right
imaging field 14R, left imaging field 14L, right image-indicating
field 34R, and left image-indicating field 34L are horizontally
leveled automatically, like the controller 60 relating to the
second embodiment.
[0098] This angle of rotation sensor 62' for the imaging units and
ocular units, is the apparatus that detects the rotation angle of
one of the right imaging unit 10R, left imaging unit 10L, right
ocular unit 30R, and left ocular unit 30L. The automatic
imaging-field and image-indicating field rotating unit 63'
horizontally levels the inclined right imaging field 14R, left
imaging field 14L, right image-indicating field 34R, and left
image-indicating field 34L by using the detected angle.
[0099] The method of the rotation of the imaging units and the
ocular units for adjusting the inter-pupillary distance is a
1-axial rotary system. The pivot of the rotation is the imaging
optical axis X.sub.1 in the first and second embodiments, or the
rotating axis X in the third embodiment. However, the pivot of the
rotation may be an ocular axis which is parallel to the imaging
optical axis X.sub.1 in the first and second embodiments, or the
rotating axis X in the third embodiment. Furthermore, instead of a
1-axial rotary system, a 2-axial rotary system, where the pivot of
the rotation is independent for the left imaging unit and the right
imaging unit, and for the left ocular unit and the right ocular
unit, may be used in the above embodiments.
[0100] The distance from the imaging optical axis X.sub.1 to the
right ocular optical axis X.sub.3R is the same as the distance from
the imaging optical axis X.sub.1 to the left ocular optical axis
X.sub.3L in the first and second embodiments. The distance from the
rotating axis X to the right ocular optical axis X.sub.3R is the
same as the distance from the rotating axis X to the left ocular
optical axis X.sub.3L, and the distance from the rotating axis X to
the right imaging optical axis X.sub.1R is the same as the distance
from the rotating axis X to the left imaging optical axis X.sub.1L
in the third embodiment. However, these distances do not have to be
the same. If each rotation angle for the right imaging unit, left
imaging unit, right ocular unit, and left ocular unit, is detected
in independently, and if each value for the rotation angles of the
right imaging field, left imaging field, right image-indicating
field, and left image-indicating field, are computed independently,
the same effects are obtained.
[0101] The movements of the right imaging field 14R, left imaging
field 14L, right image-indicating field 34R, and left
image-indicating field 34L are not limited to rotating about their
axes which pass through their centers, and which are parallel to
the imaging optical axis. The right imaging field 14R, left imaging
field 14L, right image-indicating field 34R, and left
image-indicating field 34L can also be horizontally leveled by
moving toward a side direction and length direction, within their
effective imaging area or effective image-indicating area.
[0102] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been
described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings,
obviously many modifications and changes may be made by those
skilled in this art without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0103] The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained
in Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-177296 (filed on Jun. 20,
2003), which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its
entirety.
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